University of West Alabama vs. RIC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of West Alabama is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (6,820 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• University of West Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of West Alabama 19:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

University of West Alabama vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or RIC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than University of West Alabama ($10,346 vs. $13,954).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 38.6% lower than at Rhode Island College ($8,230 vs. $13,414).
• Rhode Island College is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of West Alabama (about $310 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $10,990.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.9% higher at RIC than at University of West Alabama (about $7,209 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $20,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at University of West Alabama (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Alabama students is 34.8% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($9,037 vs. $6,706).

University of West Alabama vs. RIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama or RIC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RIC and University of West Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island College (1000) is 10 points higher than at University of West Alabama (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; Rhode Island College 870/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; RIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027; RIC Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of West Alabama students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at RIC (3.08).
• RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 23.1% at RIC.

University of West Alabama vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama and RIC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Rhode Island College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than University of West Alabama's (28%).
• Graduates from Rhode Island College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $5,289 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($21,200 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($219 vs. $273).
• More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.